My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Alex Seropian, a pioneer in video game development and co-founder of Bungie, shares his incredible journey from studying math at the University of Chicago to creating the iconic Halo. He recounts the nail-biting Macworld demo crisis that almost derailed the game’s reveal and discusses the pressures during E3 leading to Halo's launch. Beyond Halo, he delves into his admiration for Tetris, the impact of Ico, and his innovations in community-driven game design with Fortnite, concluding with thoughts on the future of gaming and creativity.

Mark Cerny is an American programmer, and game designer whose career has shaped not only how we play, but the systems we play on. A San Francisco native, he dropped out of UC Berkeley at 17 after receiving an invitation to join Atari. At 18 he designed the arcade hit Marble Madness. He then moved to Japan to work with Sega, for whom he founded the Sega Technical Institute, developers of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Then played a key role in landmark titles such as Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Daxter, and Resistance. He’s perhaps best known, however, as the lead system architect of the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, helping to define the technical and creative possibilities of an entire generation of video games.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brandon Adler, a seasoned game director at Obsidian Entertainment, shares insights into crafting The Outer Worlds 2. He discusses the evolution of the game’s universe and unique aspects of character-driven design. Brandon reflects on his journey from soldier to game designer, emphasizing lessons in leadership and creativity learned from both the military and classic RPGs. He delves into the balance of satire and storytelling, where humor meets critique, and advocates for player agency in narrative choice, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in the beloved franchise.

This special correspondence edition dives into what catches guests off guard when naming their consoles. Simon navigates through memorable gaming moments, including a fantastic listener's experience from Red Dead Redemption. He explores the concept of using games as tools for learning about cities and languages, alongside personal anecdotes from game jams, including unique settings like boats. Prepare for memorable vistas from titles like Elden Ring and Ghost of Tsushima, as Simon wraps up with listener engagement and exciting prizes!

My guest today is a British game designer whose ingenuity and persistence turned a bedroom project into one of the most iconic multiplayer series in video games. In 1991, he took the characters from the popular Amiga game Lemmings and placed them in a game of his own, a simulation of artillery fire. At school, the game proved popular among his friends, so he worked on it further, replacing the Lemmings with worms, and calling it Total Wormage. The teenager’s project quickly captured the attention of the industry, launching a career that saw my guest move from lone coder to a key creative figure at Team17. While Worms became a global phenomenon, spawning countless sequels and spin-offs, he has remained driven by a passion for experimentation, curiosity, and the simple joy of making things that people love to play.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, shares his journey in the gaming industry, from his early days at Sony to his ongoing passion for indie games. He discusses the transformative impact of titles like Journey and the evolution of PlayStation's support for small developers. Shuhei's insights on VR innovations and his role as an ambassador for independent games highlight his commitment to fostering creativity. He also reveals his top picks for an 'Indie Station' console, celebrating the artistry of indie gaming.

Danny Abassi, the dynamic drummer of Miniseries, discusses his journey through the music world, from recording their debut album 'Pilot' in a remote Scottish studio to his time as a professional musician in China. He explores themes of relationships and technology in their music and shares anecdotes about his early gaming experiences that shaped his artistic sensibility. With insights on his collaborative process and inspirations, Danny reveals how his multicultural background influences his sound, making for an engaging and heartfelt conversation.

Rami Ismail, co-founder of Vlambeer and prominent advocate for indie games, shares insights from his career and experiences. He candidly discusses the emotional complexity of sudden success with Ridiculous Fishing and how his family's support shaped his journey. Rami reflects on identity through the lens of gaming, choosing favorites like StarCraft for its creative possibilities and Yakuza 0 for its cultural authenticity. He also dives into his role as a global ambassador for developers and the impact of games like Flight Simulator on real life.

Lorien Testard is a French musician and composer. He started his career as a guitar teacher, composing instrumental tracks for imaginary video games in his spare time. He began to upload them to his Soundcloud, and soon had a collection of more than fifty pieces online. His life changed when he shared one of the tracks in an indie game forum. A video game director saw the post and invited my guest to craft the entire eight-hour score for his game: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.The resulting soundtrack breathes emotional life into the game. It use solo cello and saxophone themes, and weaves in accordion playing in homage to French culture. Whether working with voice, guitar, or ambient soundscapes, my guest composes with intention, infusing each track he writes with atmosphere, purpose, and identity.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Plante is a journalist, editor, and one of the sharpest voices working in video game media. After studying at New York University, he worked as freelance writer for outlets including The Guardian, Vulture, and Edge before, in 2012, co-founding Polygon, a website blending coverage of pop culture, longform storytelling, and thoughtful games criticism. Alongside his journalism, he co-wrote the story for the hit podcast series, Limetown, later adapted into a TV series starring Stanley Tucci. In 2017, after a stint overseeing the Culture desk at The Verge, he returned to Polygon as editor-in-chief. In May, after nearly a decade at the site, he left Polygon to launch Post Games, a podcast about why and how we love video games. Smart, funny, and never afraid to challenge the status quo, my guest has helped define contemporary games journalism. Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.